Get BSN for free? Or pay for it and be happy?

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Right now, I am a pre-nursing student. I will hopefully enter NS in the Fall of 2009 at my local community college. After that, I am hoping to get into a new grad ICU program, but I also want to transfer to a university and get my BSN as my goal is to become a CRNA.

My problem lies herein: I can attend a local university for free because I qualify as a low-income student. But I hate it here in Washington. I am tired of the rain and tired of the gray skies and everything. I am pining for someplace hot and sunny like Arizona or California.

My question to you: do you think it would be best to stay in Washington for one more year and get my BSN at the university here for free (it is a 1 yr program, full time), and hope to get into a new grad ICU program around here, and then when it is time for CRNA school, explore options of going somewhere warmer? Or should I take the plunge now and try to get hired on in another state and also get accepted to a BSN program in another state.

Also, admission is guaranteed to my state university (not to the BSN program, but at least to the university itself) thanks to agreements w/ the cc's around here.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Lot of applicants get turned away from schools, just becuase there are so many wanting the same spots. I guess I'm conservative enough to go the safe route, one year seems like a long time but it goes pretty fast once you're in school.

Question is, how depressed are you by the weather? If it is really affecting you, then go somewhere else and take your chances. If its more an annoyance, I'd say get the sure thing, and then you'll have lots more opportunities with the BSN under your belt.

Another question, how significant is the money? Can you afford to pay somewhere else and be happier? Have you tried to get in elsewhere? Maybe applying for several places would help, then you'd have a better idea of what options are out there for you. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg.

I think you'd be passing up a great opportunity if you didn't stay and complete the BSN program.

One more year in an area you don't like isn't very long in the scheme of things. And for the cost of most BSN programs, I think it would be well worth the trade-off of missing a year of sunny weather.

You won't be able to see the sun much anyway if you're in school full time. ;)

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Specializes in Triage, MedSurg, MomBaby, Peds, HH.

I'd try one of those light replacement lamps. They worked for my sister when she moved from sunny Colorado, and for my husband working in Alaska.

And...if you're depressed now, think about the student loans later on! Money worries can be a major factor in depression.

You're so lucky! I will leave nursing school with substantial debt.

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IMHO: Get your degree there and then move.

1) No debt is huge: have you really looked at how long you'll be repaying out of state tuition?

2) You don't know how long it would take to get accepted to an out of state school.

3 You don't *really* know you'd love it here in AZ.

If you get accepted in AZ and you *hate* the weather you'd then really be stuck!

Good luck!

Mark

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Did you say you could get your BSN in 1 year full time? Holy crap...I'm just finishing my 1st of 3 years of the actually nursing program and have been in college for 2 before I started the program. I like the 1 year vs my 5 year plan for my BSN lol!

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ANYTIME you can get your education for free...that is what you need to do.

I can't stand it where I live...but my entire ADN program is only going to cost me around a little over $6K...that includes books and uniforms.

You can't beat that considering some people are forking out tens of thousands of dollars for an RN program.

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Thanks everyone for your responses. After I made this post, I really started considering what would be realistic and I think that sticking it out here for another year is well worth the sacrifice of hating the weather here, LOL.

And to answer someone's question...I will have had to take one year of pre-reqs, and then the two years for my ADN. The University of Wa. program @ Tacoma has an RN to BSN program that only takes 1 year of full time study to complete (4 quarters). And the niiiice thing is that it is free.

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